Culinary Carlisle

by Lauren Davidson; photography by Carl Socolow '77

Journey a few blocks from campus in any direction and you’ll have your pick of Carlisle eateries, serving everything from Japanese to Belgian fare, homestyle delights to seasonal specialties, decadent desserts to an assortment of brews and libations. Whether you make an annual pilgrimage to one of the longstanding establishments or explore one of the newer ventures, Dickinsonians, Carlisle natives and tourists alike have a cornucopia of culinary options at their fingertips.

Friendly Competition

Custard or ice cream? A longtime staple or an up-and-comer? Dickinsonians tend to feel strongly one way or another—Team Massey’s or Team Leo’s, and we decided to find out where the majority fell. On Friday, Aug. 19, we pooled our social-media resources and asked our community to vote. With opportunities to express their love on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram or Snapchat, we tallied 1,185 votes. And here’s the result…

Massey's

Leo's

Café Bruges

Est. 2009

When Café Bruges replaced the former Red Devil restaurant on Pitt Street, many wondered whether Belgian fare had a place in Carlisle. Turns out the frites (hand-peeled and twice cooked) and mussels won over locals and tourists alike, and the 100 Belgian beers on hand offer something for every palate.

Fay’s Country Kitchen

Est. 1973

You can’t go wrong with 22 varieties of pancakes available on the diner-style menu at Fay’s. The decor is retro and the staff is one of the friendliest around. Whether you’re popping in for coffee
or diving into a full platter, enjoy the throwback ambiance and bring cash!

The Hamilton

Est. 1930s

Dickinsonians have been trekking to the corner of High and Pitt streets for Hot-chee dogs and gravy fries for decades, and we hope that tradition will continue for decades to come. The Hot-chee dog was actually given its name by Dickinson students in the 1950s and was featured on SeriousEats.com in 2011, but the ‘Milt booms for breakfast, lunch and dinner thanks to speedy service and homestyle delights.

Brick

Est. 2015

One of the newest spots in town, Brick rose to the top of everyone’s list of favorite restaurants quickly, due to its combination of rotating seasonal fare, modern takes on classic dishes and all-season outdoor seating. The lollipop lamb chops are a unique twist on a standard, and the fish tacos are a must.